Mike,

I need to buy a piston ring filer to have as I'm assembling my engine myself this time around. I was considering the following:

http://www.powerandperformancenews.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=POW105080&Category_Code=PISTONRING&Store_Code=PH

Do you have any experience/thoughts on this product?

Thanks.

Ken,
Sorry, I don't have any info on that one as I use the ABS one & for limited use I don't think you will appreciate the price :D

I just use the cheapo hard plastic piece that is also used as a ring squaring tool with a file. Works fine if you are very careful. For the few times I file rings it is good.

Just have to take your time and do it when you are patient.

I just have my machinist file the rings while he has the block there, he doesnt charge that much to do it and it's one less thing I can screw up.

Mike

Thaks for the replies, guys. I really want to do as much of the assembly on this engine (short of machining) as I possibly can. Not that I can do it better than someone that does it for a living, just a personal desire. I've got one of the best machinists in the country only miles from my house. However, he gets $1,250 to assemble and blueprint a BBC. I know, as I that's what he charged to do the engine he built for me back in 2000. I figure I can save some $$$, learn some new skills and pick up a few new specialty tools along the way graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I am in the same boat Ken. I was going to see if I could rent a filer for mine, if not I will check out the cost of a new one. I am prepared to file by hand if necessary. I have all kinds of time as winters are a wee bit long here :(

I put a file in bench and just file one side ONLY
of the ring.I slide it across and pull back easy comes out very good Remember file only 1 side of the ring.Then take fine wet sand paper to remove any burrs,

Originally posted by Wolfplace:
Ken,
I use the ABS one :D So where can we see this filer and how much are we talkn here?

Originally posted by thrasher:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Wolfplace:
Ken,
I use the ABS one :D So where can we see this filer and how much are we talkn here? </font>[/QUOTE]If I can remember I will post a picture tomorrow. If I forget email me & I'll send it to you.
They are about $500 or $600 as I recall, been about 8 years or so since I got it.

Originally posted by Wolfplace:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by thrasher:
So where can we see this filer and how much are we talkn here? </font>[/QUOTE]If I can remember I will post a picture tomorrow. If I forget email me & I'll send it to you.
They are about $500 or $600 as I recall, been about 8 years or so since I got it. You need to be doing some serious ring filing to justify the cost of a unit like that :D . Not for the casual, once every couple years user.

I use to use the file in the vise. Till a while back I bought a crank handle type like Summit sells SUM-906795. I works OK just watch how much you remove. Also get a dial indicator,mics a degree wheel with a crank hub tool,a fixed ring compressor, adjustable pushrods and make a oil pump primer out of a old distributor. That is just some of the tools that will be help full. I have the biggest dawer in my box filled with engine assembly tools and I only build about 3 a year.
John

Originally posted by ImpBiscuit:
I use to use the file in the vise. Till a while back I bought a crank handle type like Summit sells SUM-906795. I works OK just watch how much you remove. Also get a dial indicator,mics a degree wheel with a crank hub tool,a fixed ring compressor, adjustable pushrods and make a oil pump primer out of a old distributor. That is just some of the tools that will be help full. I have the biggest dawer in my box filled with engine assembly tools and I only build about 3 a year.
John Thanks, John. I've already got a 6" dial caliper, 2" mic, crank socket, pump primer tool and heads off degree kit that I purchased when I installed the solid roller last year. Yesterday I ordered a rod bolt stretch gauge, ring filer, set different push rod length checkers and qa 4.280" ring compressor. I was looking at the ring sqauring tools that are available. I didn't order one but was thinking about it. If not I can just use my vanier caliper to measure how far the ring is in the bore to square it.

RE:I can just use my vanier caliper to measure how far the ring is in the bore to square it.
That is what I do. I just set it at.75 and make the trip around and square it. I have built all my engines since I was 16 years old. Have fun it is rewarding. I want a dyno now I had more fun going. I would love to have one at my house. I wounder my wife gave me a tool box last year. Do you think the Dyno would be to much to ask for.
John

Ken.....for checking piston to bore clearance a 3"-6" Boice gage and for bearing journals a 1.750" - 3" is the most accurate,these are zero'd to the dimension you are targeting and at a quick glance you know where you are,makes checking much faster.Depth mics for ,what else ,deck height and as you know various indicators....I have made many special tools for piston stops ,tall aluminum tool to sit in lifter bore for degreeing cam ....ring squaring tools you name it ....if I can be of any help feel free to call or e- mail,good luck .....Joe smile.gif

Originally posted by joespanova:
Ken.....for checking piston to bore clearance a 3"-6" Boice gage and for bearing journals a 1.750" - 3" is the most accurate,these are zero'd to the dimension you are targeting and at a quick glance you know where you are,makes checking much faster.Depth mics for ,what else ,deck height and as you know various indicators....I have made many special tools for piston stops ,tall aluminum tool to sit in lifter bore for degreeing cam ....ring squaring tools you name it ....if I can be of any help feel free to call or e- mail,good luck .....Joe smile.gif Thanks, Joe. The block is at Grimes now getting ready for machining. Gary said that with 350+ passes on the shortblock it's likely the bores are no longer round and couldn't simply be deglazed. They will likely have to be honed. In that case the pistons will be coated ($160) rather than going .060 over and buying new pistons ($500+). I'm not familiar with a boice gauge. I may holler at you if I run into a snag graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Kenny,
Any precision measuring devices that you may possibly need can easily be borrowed from either myself or Joe.
You're welcome to them, of course.
In fact, they made me take all my machinists tools home so they are all back home here in the shop.
And as Joe will probably add....in like new condition. ;)

Originally posted by thrasher:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Wolfplace:
Ken,
I use the ABS one :D So where can we see this filer and how much are we talkn here? </font>[/QUOTE]=
Thrasher,
Here ya go ;)
BTW they are $695 now.
http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/19/190264/Ring_Filer_003.jpg
http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/19/190264/Ring_Filer_005.jpg

Ken,
If you have access to a lathe you can make a ring squaring tool out of abs pipe.I got the machinest at work to make them for me, like you i would like to have the tools to do the job myself.I have tools i have only used once but if i need them they are there.This is my only hobby so i can afford to spend some money on tools.
later
zimaman(a.k.a. steve)

Ken,
I just got the Summit unit...fairly inexpensive and the only thing to pay attention to is to shave a little of a time, measure, shave some more, et cetera....

Also, I purchased a .0001 powerhouse dial bore guage that has been very valuable in the measuremenst/blueprinting that I have been doing the last month (bearing clearances, cylinder bore diameter, rod bore diameter, et cetera.)

Tahks again for all the good suggestions everyone.

:eek:

Forgot I even posted on this subject till last night.

Hows that for brain fade graemlins/clonk.gif

Thanks for posting that pic Mike, that looks sweet ;)

I was asking cause it seems every time I file fit a set of rings I get one end a little more taperd.It makes me consider not doing it at all graemlins/sad.gif

Hey Ken, bought a hand crank ring filer off ebay back in August for under $50 delivered. I'm just a mile or so off I-85 at the same exit that Year One is located on. You'd be welcome to borrow it. Just got done with it & won't need it again for a couple months. It's slow,tedious but it does get the job done & will give you a chance to try this version before you spend your own money. Let me know if you're interested. Dave H

Dave,

I appreciate the offer graemlins/thumbsup.gif I ended up buying the one I posted about. It looks pretty decent. It wil have to be clamped to a work bench. I'm waiting for the block to come back from the machine shop now so I can get started. Thanks again...

Ken ... I bought the same basic type of grinder that you did. I stuck my hand drill on it and one time .. to get the rings cut down quicker ....

On the rod bolt stretch gauge .. the one I bought ( Tavia I think ) I couldnt get a repeatable reading from it with the tips they supplied. I bought a 22 pc. tip assortment kit off of ebay for like 5.00$ ..

Thanks, Joe. The block is at Grimes now getting ready for machining. Gary said that with 350+ passes on the shortblock it's likely the bores are no longer round and couldn't simply be deglazed. They will likely have to be honed. In that case the pistons will be coated ($160) rather than going .060 over and buying new pistons ($500+). How much clearance will the piston coating make up? And what type of coating is it? Interesting. Does the machine shop do this in house or send them out? Sorry for all the questions but this is the first time I've ever heard of this. Up untill now I always thought the piston coatings applied to the skirts were just for lubrication anti scuff purposes. It'd be nice if you'd post a before and after measurement on these. Interesting. Bob

Bore gauge is the way to go. Wish I had one. Almost did actually till Wolfplace said not to get the cheap ones. I was thinking though, if I already have an expensive dial indicator, would that be an acceptable crutch for a cheap bore gauge?

You might want to get the big Moroso degree wheel.
About $55 from summit. Once you start seriously messing with the cam. You'll see the need for it. For a quick check, the 9" wheel is ok.

Don't forget the thread cleaning taps. They are slightly smaller than a normal tap so they don't remove metal.
I usually try to buy one tool every time I place an order with Summit. But it takes me about two years to buy all the parts for an engine.
Since I have a bbc & a sbc, I frequently need two sets. I'm to the $150 tool range now so it's hard to justify now. But all the shop in town are either young guys that don't care or old guys with old machines. And they all talk @#$t about each other in a round about way. I normally ignore them till I got the old machine comment.